Northwestern Chances

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Hello! I’m a high school senior in Nebraska seriously considering Early Decision to Northwestern. I think I’m a competitive candidate, but I’d like a second (or more than second) opinion.

White Female (straight)
Declaring Neuroscience Major with intention to double major in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, with a possible minor in music theory (I want to study how music interacts with the brain)

4.0 unweighted GPA, 4.345 weighted GPA
Rigorous schedule with a few discrepancies–I’ve chosen music and AP science classes over AP History classes (US History or Human Geography), instead electing to take regular US History and World History as online classes in the summer. I intend to defend this choice in the supplemental information section. I also chose music in place of taking French 4 junior year. Music also interferes with both AP Chem and AP Physics, so I’ve taken neither (my school works on block scheduling making scheduling music kids difficult). Other than those, I’ve actually run out of honors classes to take at my school.

APs (sophomore and junior year): Biology (4), Language and Composition (5), Psychology (5), Statistics (5)
APs (senior year): Literature, Macroeconomics, Government and Politics, Calculus BC

Extracurriculars (school):
Science Olympiad: Multiple time state champion, three-time national competitor, officer
Theatre: Many shows cast and crew, known as the “mistress of the mics”
Choir: Three-year member of Varsity Concert Choir and Chamber Choir (select choir of varsity), made Nebraska All-State choir
Band: Mellophone/French Horn Section Leader, three-year member of Varsity Concert Band and Jazz Band. Played in varsity ensembles on five instruments (trumpet, mellophone, french horn, trombone, bari sax)
Math Club: three-year University Math Day competitor

Extracurriculars (outside of school):
Part time job since the summer after sophomore year: I am a waitress at a nursing home and love every minute of it. (apprx. 10-15 hrs/week)
Church leader: Leading sixth-grade girls midweek Bible study, Sunday School leader substitute
Girl Scouts: Until sophomore year? I was a Senior and got my Bronze award…and possibly my Silver. It got confusing toward the end.

Standardized Tests:
ACT super-scoring (which Northwestern does): Composite - 35, English - 36, Math - 34, Reading - 34, Science - 35
SAT (new): 1520, Math - 770, Reading - 750

My essay is about the ways that music helped me when I was going through some serious medical problems. My English teacher loved it so hopefully it’s good?

Any feedback, advice, etc. would be appreciated! Thank you.

2

I’m also a National Merit Semifinalist, if that makes any difference, and my class rank is 13 of about 475. It would be higher, but music classes (even varsity) are unweighted. I come from a lower-class single parent household. I am also in NHS and log many many many many hours tutoring.

3

@skilletfaith I think you have a good chance. I could be wrong, but I think that Nebraska is underweighted at Nebraska?

4

@londondad Nearly everyone in my school and the vast majority of people in the state go to in-state schools or nearby surrounding schools or not college at all. Nebraska is underweighted pretty much everywhere but Iowa and Kansas and Nebraska haha. Thank you so much!

5

Good. I think you have a solid chance. Did you apply ED?

6

Northwestern does not superscore ACT. With that being said, I think you’re a very competitive applicant. good luck!

7

Did you apply ED? And yeah, I think you’re definitely competitive - best of luck!

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@acort0780 Oh crap… I definitely thought they said that at the meeting! Either way, my top full test is the first, going E35, M34, R34, S34. I did apply ED. Let’s hope it turns out! Thank you all who looked at this!

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hmm… on this page it says they take your highest composite http://admissions.northwestern.edu/faqs/high-school-courses/index.html. But if you heard in person that they do superscore, I’d definitely look into it more if it makes a big difference.

10

Okay. Little update: I took the SAT again and with my new score, it superscores to 1540 (770R 770M).
With that in mind, and because I once saw a post asking for actual results, I am happy to report that I did get accepted. Pending a substantial financial aid award, I am happy to be part of the Northwestern Class of 2021!

11

Congrats!!

12

did you get the aid you needed? what is substantial? will be in the same boat with D later this year, hopefully!

13

Current student here. I think you have a pretty good shot getting in ED. Just make sure you nail that essay.

14

I saw elsewhere on CC that @skilletfaith is a freshman at NU.